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GoPro Hero3+: A Small Package Gets Smaller but Offers More

Smaller... lighter... better in a tight squeeze with more battery power to boot! GoPro announced today its newest upgrade, the GoPro Hero3+. This is an upgrade to the Hero3 Black Edition and Hero3 Silver Edition cameras. The GoPro Hero3 White Edition remains the same. The GoPro line of cameras is revolutionary, packing a lot of video punch in a small package. It enables true mobility, allowing the camera to be placed just about anywhere and in all kinds of environments. It allows the world to gain a new perspective. Here’s a look at the upgrades.

GoPro Hero3+ Black Edition

The GoPro Hero 3+ Black Edition is GoPro’s flagship camera. The upgraded design features a new waterproof housing that makes Hero3+ Black Edition 20% smaller and lighter than the Hero3 Black Edition. The new housing is waterproof to a depth of 40m compared to the submersible depth of 60m of the old housing. However, the Hero3+ fits inside of the older housing. If you are taking it down to a depth of 60m, please send pictures, and bring some lights.

The upgraded battery is the same size but now boasts a 30% longer lifespan. The Wi-Fi speed is increased four-fold for transferring files between the camera and mobile devices when using the GoPro App. The new lens remains the same size as it was before but offers sharper video with increased image quality, whether this is due to new coatings, manufacturing processes, or materials is unspecified. There is also what GoPro calls their new SuperView feature that offers a wider angle of view. This seems to be a good feature for GoPro considering the adventuring uses of the camera in situations that call for it to be mounted but not necessarily monitored. The GoPro Hero3+ Black Edition carries a suggested retail price of $399.99.

GoPro Hero3+ Silver Edition

The upgrade of the Hero3+ Silver Edition boasts 2X faster image processing than the previous Hero3 Silver Edition. Like the Hero3+ Black Edition, Hero3+ Silver Edition has a new housing that is 15% smaller and lighter than the Hero3 Silver Edition’s housing. The new housing is rated waterproof to a depth of 40m. The upgraded Silver Edition is now capable of 1080p60 and 720p120 fps video. Again similar to the upgraded black Edition, the Hero3+ Silver Edition has upgraded Wi-Fi speed. The GoPro Hero3+ Silver Edition has a suggested retail price of $299.99.

The mic placement on the Hero3+ has changed to one side and the top of the camera where it was formerly on both sides. This coincides with improved audio recording as stated by GoPro with its advanced wind-noise reduction. Prior to this release there were rumors of increased frame rates for 4k and 2k, but these remain unchanged in the Hero3+.